Fans hilariously call Florence Pugh “Lady Version of Tom Cruise” as she jumps off the world’s second-tallest building in ‘Thunderbolts*’

Florence Pugh isn't just acting in Thunderbolts*, she's free-falling into Marvel history (literally). In a new behind-the-scenes reveal, it turns out that jaw-dropping building jump wasn't CGI magic or a stunt double on wires; it was Florence Pugh herself taking a real-life plunge off the second-tallest skyscraper on Earth.

As Yelena Belova, she's trading quips and high-stakes spy work for death-defying dives, and honestly, we're both terrified and impressed. While most actors mime danger, Florence allegedly said, "Nah, I got this," and casually leapt into the clouds like it was just another day at the office.

Fans of the Marvel community are losing it, and rightfully so. This isn't another superhero movie; it's the one where Florence Pugh apparently exclaimed, "Who needs gravity?" Tom Cruise, watch out, you've got some competition coming.

In a behind-the-scenes clip that is all "casual insanity," Florence Pugh is seen gearing up with the Thunderbolts* stunt team before casually launching herself off Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a building so tall your Wi-Fi signal feels threatened.

At 2,227 feet, it’s the second-tallest skyscraper in the world, barely losing out to Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in a very high-stakes game of "who touched the sky more."

The footage shows Florence Pugh calmly preparing for the drop like a quick coffee run, then stepping off the ledge like gravity's a social suggestion. Florence Pugh in Thunderbolts* isn’t just acting—she’s redefining commitment to a role, one skyscraper at a time. In the behind-the-scenes video, she said:

"I love heights! I've been excited about this since I read the first page of the script."

The moment Florence Pugh said, "I’m jumping off that skyscraper," Disney's Health and Safety team collectively screamed into a pillow. In the Thunderbolts* behind-the-scenes video, the director admits Disney's first reaction was a hard nope, and honestly, fair. "It's not a zero-risk thing to try," he says matter-of-factly, director-code for "this is completely insane."

But Florence Pugh was not here to go halfway. She was all in on the scene, the crew, and her own ability to cheat death blithely. That level of dedication isn't just superhero-grade; it's Disney-defying. So the next time you catch a glimpse of Yelena Belova in Thunderbolts*, just recall: that's not CGI; that's Florence Pugh instructing safety measures to take a coffee break.

As soon as the news came out, someone (@ssmb291_) took to his X account and commented:

"Lady Version of Tom cruise"

Florence is officially entering her 'doing death-defying stunts like it’s cardio' era, and we're here for it. At this point, she's basically the female Tom Cruise, only with sharper eyeliner and even sharper one-liners. After leaping off a 2,227-foot skyscraper for Thunderbolts*, it’s clear she didn’t just sign up for the MCU; she challenged gravity to a duel.

Whereas most thespians pretend the fall by using a green screen and a prayer, Florence Pugh simply buckles up and goes flying like she's making Mission: Unthinkable. Get this woman a jet, a motorcycle, and a theme song.

As soon as the behind-the-scenes footage of Florence Pugh leaping off a skyscraper dropped, fans went into full meltdown mode. Social media transformed into a chaotic mix of disbelief, memes, and people questioning their own life choices.

Marvel fans lost it, scrambling to rewrite Oscar speeches and designing tribute shrines to Florence’s fearless stunt work. They all seemed to agree on one thing: Florence Pugh just set the bar for what a superhero is. Now, let's get into the funniest and most over-the-top fan reactions to her gravity-defying scene.

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Netizens react as Florence Pugh jumps off the world’s second-tallest building in ‘Thunderbolts*’

Some people joked Florence Pugh was auditioning for a new extreme sport, while others were wondering if she was merely proving gravity wrong. Some even compared her to Tom Cruise. Either way, the internet was full of memes, and everyone's fear of heights suddenly seemed a little more. understandable:

"Why does Hollywood want all their actresses to look like high school boys? This was awful," a user @rpg_haven hilariously commented.

"TOM CRUISE WHO?!," another user @RayyanTCG hilariously commented.

"This is literally Suicide Squad," a netizen @LORDCOSMOERA sarcastically expressed.

Some people posted merely to post, with one wondering if Florence Pugh had finally located the "jump off tall things" on her list of things to do. Others speculated as to whether she had unknowingly signed up for a different extreme sport. The internet certainly was creative with their jokes:

"I guess she's taking 'sky's the limit' a little too literally," a user @Asapteejo hilariously commented.

"Gravity saw her and said “I’ll wait”," another user @_DianaRider_ hilariously commented.

"All that for a 2 second frame," a netizen @bravo_joshuaaa sarcastically commented.

The peanut gallery was vocal, with some wondering if Florence Pugh was just trying to set a new personal best in "extreme sports" and others cracking up that she's getting a head start on her "how to defy physics" lesson. The comments kept pouring in as people couldn't help but giggle:

"Looks like First Avengers movie but a little bit darker," a user @mahi_says79 hilariously commented.

"Florence said “no stunt double, no problem”," another user @pinkmia_ hilariously commented.

"Marvel really woke up and chose vertigo," another netizen @R0sieVibe sarcastically commented.

"Lol she's made fun of the avengers for being posers then does this when she jumps," a netizen @jaymc1128 sarcastically wrote.

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The synopsis and history of the Thunderbolts*

In Thunderbolts*, Marvel puts together a group of antiheroes who are less likely to work together if they tried. Cornered by a lethal situation courtesy of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these oddballs have to overcome their histories and somehow collaborate in order to make it through.

Spoiler alert: They're about as likely to do that as they are to see eye-to-eye on what to eat for lunch. Between clashing personalities, old conflicts, and just a general feeling of distrust, it's more of a game of "who's going to accidentally mess it up first" than a mission.

But maybe, just perhaps, they will manage to get the impossible done and actually merge, though they might do that after they have already leveled half the city and themselves in doing so. It's a redemption tale with a dash of chaos and a splash of "Wait, they're still alive?"

The Thunderbolts* are basically Marvel's "misfits for hire" team, individuals with special powers (and questionable judgment) contracted by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine to do the dirty work for the government. Case in point: John Walker, who was reduced from poster boy for "Captain America" to being summarily dumped by Congress like a coupon that's expired.

Enter de Fontaine, who sees potential in a man who's had a couple too many on-the-job melt-downs. She hands him her business card as if marketing a new series of energy drinks, "You've got the serum, now let's get you working!"

Flash forward to Walker suiting up in his new spiffy U.S. Agent uniform and feeling like a million bucks. De Fontaine, ever the master strategist, just casually flings out the line that they'll "stay in touch," probably meaning she has 20 more clandestine missions lined up for him, and that's the real power play.

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The cast of the Thunderbolts*

The cast of Thunderbolts* is the most delightfully chaotic assembly Marvel's ever put together, equal parts trauma, power, and 'we’ll figure it out in post.' Florence Pugh stars as Yelena Belova, trained in the Red Room and still emotionally unpacking the whole 'my sister died to save the universe' thing.

Sebastian Stan reprises his role as Bucky Barnes, a former brainwashed super soldier with a cybernetic arm, thousand-yard stare, and somehow congressional member, because nothing says "civilian employee" like decades of assassin PTSD.

Wyatt Russell reappears as John Walker, the ex-Captain America who got publically dismissed by Congress, to be rechristened as U.S. Agent Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who gave him her business card and told him to call her, maybe.

Olga Kurylenko is Antonia Dreykov, a.k.a. Taskmaster, whose photo-reflexes allow her to replicate anyone's fighting style, useful in battle, disorienting at parties. David Harbour reprises Red Guardian, the Russian super-soldier and Yelena's father figure, with dad jokes and emotional baggage in equal supply.

Hannah John-Kamen again plays Ava Starr, a.k.a. Ghost, who has the ability now to phase through things without stuttering like an internet signal in a basement. Lewis Pullman appears as Bob, a.k.a. Sentry, a power-granting amnesiac who, upon transforming into his alter ego Void, is an unstoppable shadow-beast who can literally silhouette humans, your everyday Tuesday, so to speak.

Geraldine Viswanathan enters the MCU as Mel, Valentina's assistant, likely the one keeping schedules, dodging drama, and asking herself why her job description hadn't included "the occasional explosion."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus reprised her role as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who is now the CIA director and the new and proud owner of the Avengers Tower, renamed "Watchtower" because evidently world domination necessitates prime real estate.

Also added to the cast: Chris Bauer in a mystery role, Wendell Edward Pierce as a political leader (likely regretting everything), and reportedly, Laurence Fishburne as Bill Foster and Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff will return to remind everyone what a healthy relationship is. And Harrison Ford?

Inconsistent reports indicate he may be back as Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross because nothing says "stability" like a potentially cameoing U.S. President surrounded by hyperpowered chaos gremlins.

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Florence Pugh going off the side of the world's second-tallest skyscraper is one thing. At least a huge stunt for people. Meanwhile, most people might be freaked out being off a chair adjusting a light. She's not afraid. Her look upon one 2,227 feet made her proclaim a statement about willingness to go from a swan dive to play the scene, no green screens or a stand-in, just crazy and pure commitment.

It's the type of gesture that amounts to, "I'm not just appearing in this Marvel film, I am the Marvel film." Honestly, if the Thunderbolts* ever need a leader, skip Bucky—just hand Florence Pugh a parachute and cue the dramatic slow-mo.

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